Nets on the Net: 3/5/10 Edition
Mar 5, 2010 Courtney Lee, John Calipari, LeBron James, Nets on the Net, Nets vs. 72-73 Sixers, Newark, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams, Vince Carter
Ben Couch gives a nod to us, so let’s nod right back and mention his great piece on Courtney Lee, who was really settling into a groove recently until he injured his ankle: “Once you start getting back to your normal self and playing well, something always pops up. I just look at it as adversity, and I can overcome it: just continue to work on my game and just work myself back into shape and being healthy and go from there.”
However, Kiki lists Lee as “doubtful” for tonight’s game against his former mates.
Make sure you check out njnets.com at 1 p.m. as the live stream their press conference from the Prudential Center.
Rod Thorn, meanwhile, is unsure of the impact Newark will have on this year’s free agent class: “It’s hard to say,” Thorn said when asked if the Nets will have an edge because of their arena situation. “I think Newark will be a good place to play but I don’t know what it means for free agents.”
Kentucky coach, and former Nets coach, John Calipari talks with Al Iannazzone and pays a compliment to the current Nets roster, while naturally saying how bad the roster he took control of was in the 90s: “You got other guys that are legitimate NBA players,” he said. “I go back and look at our team my first year [1996-97], and whew. You look at our roster … when we won our 10th game I had a celebration because I thought we were only going to win nine. The team I had, I couldn’t believe it.”
Terrence Williams has been playing better lately, but as Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger captures, it hasn’t been easy for him this season: “I really didn’t know what to expect,” he said Thursday. “I tried to come here and use the same game that I used in college, but my shot wasn’t falling. I had to re-evaluate myself as a player and change my game to more so going to the hole, but still do the other little things that I do and love to do, as far as, like, passing, playing ‘D’ and rebounding.”
Al Iannazzone looks at whether or the not the Nets miss Vince Carter’s leadership.
Dave Markowitz of the Daytona Beach News Journal assures Nets fans that the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers were worse. Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel looks at the worst team’s in sports history and mentions an NJIT team I believe Sebastian is familiar with.
Another “Buckeye” argues against LeBron bolting for NYC.
Nets on the Net: 2/3/10 Edition
Feb 3, 2010 Chris Quinn, Del Harris, Lawrence Frank, Nets on the Net, Vince Carter
In an interesting reunion of former Nets, Lawrence Frank is in Orlando to give the struggling Vince Carter some advice.
Given that he really didn’t talk to the YES crew after the game, here’s Del Harris’ statement on why he’s leaving the team.
Good old Dwyane Wade has taken to using the Nets as a barometer for how bad it can get, after talking to Rafer Alston and Chris Quinn: “When I was a little younger, I’d have been ready to explode,” Wade said of the Heat’s performance. “As I get older, I understand you take the good with the bad. In this league to come back and fight another day is always a blessing . . . of course there are times when you’re angry. Everyone has those times. But I look at Rafer some times and I think, ‘You know what? It can be worse.’ I talk to Quinny all the time. It’s worse other places.”
Hoops columnist Peter Vescey talks about the Nets proposed move to Newark and throws some cold water on the Amare Stoudamire trade rumors.
Nets on the Net: 1/12/10 Edition
Jan 12, 2010 Brooklyn, Develop Don't Destroy, Eduardo Najera, Kris Humphries, Nets on the Net, Shawne Williams, Vince Carter
Hey, I know that Sebastian Pruiti guy. Check out his breakdown of the critical possession of the Nets-Hornets game from Friday.
Rod Thorn on trades; more to come: “You’re probably going to see some major deals before it’s over with,” he said. “We’ll be talking to people on a daily basis to see if there’s other things we can do that we feel will help, whether it be short term or long term.”
Dave D’Alessandro profiles the two newest Nets, and wonders if their acquisitions makes the roster more “high-maintenance.”
Eduardo Najera is one happy dude now that he’s been traded; “Today is the first time I’ve been able to smile.”
In Orlando, our old friend Vince Carter may be headed to the bench in favor of JJ Redick. Orlando Pinestriped Post (formerly Third Quarter Collapse) has the analysis.
Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn is trying to connect the dots between Gilbert Arenas and Mikhail Prokhorov.
Speaking of DDDB and Daniel Goldstein, he’s “still not going anywhere.” Hat tip NetsDaily.
Nets on the Net: 12/26/09 Edition
Dec 26, 2009 Brooklyn, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, Nets on the Net, Vince Carter
Let’s start things off with a commercial announcement. Those who are excited about Bruce Ratner’s closing on the Atlantic Yards should check this site out for some excellent Brooklyn Nets t-shirts.
Courtney Lee on his shooting slump and his season: “A lot of people if they go in shooting slumps or they’re not playing the way they want to play they can get down on themselves,” Lee said. “I try to stay as positive as possible because I still have the opportunity to go out there and play basketball.
Speaking of Courtney Lee, NBA.com revisits the “layup” that wasn‘t for Courtney Lee in last year’s NBA Finals. Kiki Vandeweghe reacts: “I’ve seen it 10 or 15 times at least,” Nets interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe said. “That was not just a layup. That was a very difficult shot. Anybody who’s tried a shot like that, it’s not just, ‘Oh, I’m just gonna lay the ball in.’ And to me, the great thing was when he got the shot, he made an athletic move to get the shot off and, second, he was willing to take it. That’s what impressed me. I think that’s the type of kid he is. He’s a great kid.”
Devin Harris is confident that the losing is going to come to an end: “I don’t think it’s going to last much longer,” Harris said. “When we get out guys back, I think we can put a string of a couple wins together and then we’ll be OK. It’s tough. But everybody comes to work every day, so that makes it a little easier to deal with.”
Here’s a story about a former Net who may have been worse than Josh Boone at shooting free throws. Chris Dudley is running for Governor in Oregon.
Bleacher Report on Vince Carter: A lot of people thought that Devin Harris was the one responsible for the unexpected winnings of the New Jersey Nets. Now that VC’s not with the Nets anymore, the Nets couldn’t even get into 10wins without him.
Nets on the Net: 11/30/09 Edition
Nov 30, 2009 Lawrence Frank, Rafer Alston, Rod Thorn, Vince Carter
Obviously, there’s still lots of fallout over Lawrence Frank’s firing in the papers last night/this morning.
Over at the Star-Ledger, Dave D’Alessandro talks about potential interim replacements, while Rod Thorn said the organization could even look outside to fill the position.
Steve Politi thinks Rod Thorn is the last thing to believe in with the Nets.
Chris Sheridan over at TrueHoop talks about the “wacky” history of Nets firings.
Rafer Alston says blame the players.
The Record looks back at the fantastic journey of Lawrence Frank.
The always demonstrative Stan Van Gundy, has some interesting things to say about Frank’s firing.
Meanwhile, Vince Carter had “no comment” on the firing.
Mitch Lawrence of the Daily News says don’t expect to see much improvement in the Nets now that they fired Frank.
Hardwood Paroxysm podcasts about Lawrence Frank.
Bleacher Report speculates that the Frank firing could affect the team’s chances to land a free agent next summer.
Mark Heisler of the LA Times looks back at the Nets miseries.
Fanhouse also chimes in on the state of the Nets.
Nets on the Net: 10/31/09 Halloween Edition
Oct 31, 2009 Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, Nets on the Net, Rafer Alston, Ryan Anderson, Vince Carter
It was the Vince Carter show yesterday before the game. Here, he talks about regrets about not making the playoffs in his last year with the Nets. Julian Garcia talks to Lawrence Frank about how coachable VC was. Ben Couch recounts a shootout VC had with Mickael Pietrus.
Vince Carter talks about how Brook Lopez is going to be a star someday. Dave D. also has some thought from Vince about the team’s younger players.
Courtney Lee may have told NAS last week that he would approach the Magic like any other team, he does admit yesterday that he has a bigger chip on his shoulder when they’re in town.
Meanwhile, last night saw the return of Ryan Anderson as well.
Hardwood Paorxysm calls Brook vs. Dwight Howard the best matchup of centers in the East.
Chris Sheridan at TrueHoop talks with Magic GM Otis Smith who said they wouldn’t have made the trade with the Nets if Courtney Lee and Ryan Anderson weren’t both included.
In some non-Nets-Magic action, John Hollinger lists Devin Harris on his “All-Decline Team” due to his poor second-half performance last year.
Dime Magazine lists Brook Lopez as one of five sophomores you need to watch.
In a Time Magazine piece about athletes and the H1N1 virus (swine flue), Rafer Alston is quoted saying it’s hard to break the habit of shaking somebody’s hand, despite the threat of getting the virus.
Nets on the Net: 10/30/09 Edition
Oct 30, 2009 Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee, Develop Don't Destroy, Devin Harris, Jarvis Hayes, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rafer Alston, Sean Williams, Tony Battie, Vince Carter, Yi
In Al Iannazzone’s report, Jarvis Hayes is expected to miss the next 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, as expected, the Nets picked up the options for Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee and Yi Jianlian while declining on Sean Williams.
Courtney Lee talks with the Orlando Sentinel about his time with his former team, and why he still has love for Orlando.
But Lee tells Ben Couch that he’s going to approach them like any other team.
Some bullet-points on Lee, Tony Battie and Rafer Alston’s time in Orlando.
Devin Harris jokes about getting a chance to foul Vince Carter “one good time” tonight.
Blogger previews from Howard the Dunk.
Over at NetsDaily, Net Income talks about a cryptic e-mail discussing new potential names for the Nets after they (presumably) move to Brooklyn. These include “New York Nets” or maybe something without “Nets” altogether.
CCTV focuses on Yi’s performance in the season opener Wednesday night.
Atlantic Yards Report talks about the lowball offer Daniel Goldstein (of Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn) received for his Prospect Heights condo from the Empire State Development Corporation.
An opinion piece in the Star-Ledger talks about how the Nets in Newark could help “pay the rent” at the Prudential Center.
Nets on the Net: 10/27/09 Edition
Oct 27, 2009 Brook Lopez, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Devin Harris, Josh Boone, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Prudential Center, Terrence Williams, Tony Battie, Vince Carter, Yi
On a team without a veteran superstar like Vince Carter and Jason Kidd, Devin Harris is evolving into the team’s leader.
Tony Battie, Josh Boone and Yi Jianlian left yesterday’s practice with assorted bumps and bruises are listed as day-to-day.
Small ball may be the way to go for stretches this season, especially when Terrence Williams is a part of it.
Brook Lopez and Chris Douglas-Roberts used to play together a lot in high school at basketball camp. Now, as part of the Nets, they’re developing a great chemistry with each other.
Al Iannazzone, writing for YES, believes the Nets will struggle, but could still be an exciting team to follow.
Gary Sussman is calling for a standing ovation for Vince Carter at the Izod Friday night. Bleacher Report tries to convince us that VC has never had a true big man to run with.
Zach Harper of TalksHoops gives us his Nets preview complete with an introductory mention of prostitutes in honor of Mikhail Prokhorov.
The Star-Ledger’s editorial board comes out in favor of the proposed temporary move to Newark next year.
You might have heard, but the Nets should have a lot of cap space next summer. But is it smart to build through free agency?
Nets on the Net: 10/22/09 Edition
Oct 22, 2009 Chris Douglas-Roberts, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Prudential Center, Vince Carter
Chris Douglas-Roberts is proving the doubters wrong this preseason.
Members of Mikhail Prokhorov’s Onexim Group were in attendance last night.
Meanwhile, Prokhorov apparently made a great impression with the league this week.
After another successful draw to the Prudential Center last night, the Nets are seriously considering setting up a temporary home there starting next season as they wait for Brooklyn to happen. The one caveat is whether or not they can break their lease at the Izod Center without a stiff penalty.
The differences may be small and hardly noticeable, but the Nets believe they are getting better on the defensive end.
State Development officials are drafting a new deal with Bruce Ratner that may give his Brooklyn development plan a loophole out of creating thousands of units of affordable housing, according to the Brooklyn Paper.
The Orlando Magic follow in the path of the Nets and start a practice jersey sponsorship.
Third Quarter Collapse takes umbrage with the idea that the Magic did not improve with the acquisition of Vince Carter and the loss of Hedo Turkaglu.
Nets on the Net: 10/18/09 Edition
Oct 18, 2009 Brooklyn, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, Develop Don't Destroy, Devin Harris, Lawrence Frank, Nets on the Net, Vince Carter
Mikhail Prokhorov is coming to New York this week to meet with NBA officials and Brooklyn’s Bright Beach section, also known as “Little Odessa” is abuzz.
NetIncome over at NetsDaily looks at all of the trade options on the table for Vince Carter earlier this year and determines the deal the Nets made, was probably the best for the team. NI also compares Courtney Lee and Devin Harris to determine if Lee can follow the path to stardom like Harris did after the Jason Kidd trade two years ago.
Lawrence Frank is still deciding his team’s rotation.
The Nets are still shaky on defense, Fred Kerber reports.
NESN looks at the Prokhorov affect.
CDR, whose neck is hurting, has forced his way into the starting rotation.
Despite rumors that the New York Islanders are looking to move to Brooklyn once the Barcalays Arena is constructed, Newsday reports there have been no formal conversations between Bruce Ratner and the hockey team’s ownership.
Atlantic Yards Report talks about another lawsuit in the works for the Brooklyn project that will be filed tomorrow.
Some video from DDDB’s fundraising walk on Saturday: